Extensible drop-leaf table



Sept 3, 1940- A. M. ELLINGTON 2,213,695

EXTENSIBLE DROP-LEAF TABLE Filed May 15, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 *1/6 fl I 1| l Inventur l); x/ Fuvlinmgtmn /251 /a'lwIl EH 711| 2l "Mi F1 ttm Fl-lEg- Patented Sept. 3, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention appertains to tables, and more particularly to a drop-leaf table of the extensible type.

One of the primary objects of my invention ,is to provide an article of furniture pa-rticularly adapted for use in small apartments and the like, where conservation of space is of highest importance, and which will have the attractive appearance of a drop-leaf table for fitting against a wall, and which can be pulled out into the center of a roo-m and quickly and easily extended into a full-length dining room table.

Another salient object of my invention is to provide a new and novel drop-leaf table. Heretoiore, such tables have been enlarged by raising the drop-leaves and supporting the leaves in a horizontal position by various well-known means, such as angle supports, swinging bars, of gate-leg members. Further enlargement has heretofore been provided by separating the table top into two sections, using the conventional table-slide and inserting extra leaves at the center of the table between the two sections of the table top. This method has involved the division of the main top into the two sections, and my invention is of such a nature that the division of the table top is unnecessary by providing for the addition, when desired, of extra leaves between the main top and the drop-leaves. By this arrangement and formation of parts, the main top is left in one piece, thereby adding to the strength and appearance of the table.

A further object of my invention is to provide novel means for hingedly mounting the dropleaves directly on certain portions of the tableslides, whereby said drop-leaves can be slid away from the table top, so that additional leaves can be added to the table between the main center top and the swinging drop-leaves.

A further important object of my invention is the provision of means for mounting the dropleaves on the table-slides in such a manner that the drop-leaves, when the same are in their lowered vertical position, can be slid under the main table top, whereby to materially lessen the active width of the table and to add to the appearance of the table, when the table is in its collapsed position, and to prevent the free and accidental swinging movement of the drop-leaves when the table is being shifted from one point to another.

A still further object ci" my invention is to provide means for mounting the legs or other supporting members on certain sections of the table-slides, whgen'eby the legs can `be moved under the drop-leaves when the table is in its open extended position, whereby the drop-leaves will be eiectively supported, and whereby the table will be properly balanced.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, ar- 5 rangement, and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specically described, claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of my improved table, showing the same in its collapsed position, with the drop-leaves slid under and below the main table top.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing the drop-leaves slid outwardly slightly beyond the ends of the main table top, whereby the table will have the exact appearance of an ordinary drop-leaf table', should such exact appearance be desired by the owner.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary, side, elevational -20 view showing the drop-leaves in their raised horizontal position and supported in such position by the sliding out of the legs or other supports.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, showing the drop-leaves slid out on the table-slides in spaced relation to the main table top, and with additional table leaves placed in between the main table top and the drop-leaves.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of my novel table, with .parts thereof broken away and in section to illustrate structural detail, the table being shown in its extended position.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, with the table in its collapsed position.

Figure 7 is a transverse, sectional view through the table, taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 6, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, transverse, sectional View illustrating the means for connecting the leg or pedestal supports with certain of the table-slide sections.

Figure 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, detail, longitudinal section taken on the line 9`9 of Figure 6, looking in the direction of the arrows, illustrating one means of hingedly mounting the drop-leaves on certain of the table-slide sections.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter D generally indicates my novel extensible drop-leaf table, and the same includes a main fixed table top I0.

Rigidly secured to the under-surface of the top l is the depending skirt rails II, and these rails can be of an ornamental character, if such should be preferred. Also rigidly secured to the lower surface of the table topl I0 are table-slides, and these slides are of the usual construction. As i1- lustrated in Figures 5 and 6, I prefer to use the table-slides in pairs on each side of the longitudinal center of the table, as by this arrangement and construction a rigid and firm table can be made. Thus, slides I2, I3, I4, and I5 are utilized, and the innermost portions or bars I6 of the slides are secured to the under-surface of the table top.

The slides each include the inner stationary section I6, an intermediate section I'I, andan outer section or bar I8. When the slides are in their fully extended positions, the outer sections or bars I 8 are in substantially longitudinal alinement. l

Secured to the outer sections or bars I8 of the slides are transversely extending reinforcingboards I9, and these boards, in turn, have rigidly fastened thereto end pedestal supports 20. While I have shown end pedestal supports, it is to be understood that I can utilize corner legs, in which instance the legs can be secured to the crosspiece I9, or directly to the sections I3 of the table-slides. In certain other instances, a central table pedestal could be used, but I prefer to use movable end pedestals or legs.

The table also includes the swinging end dropleaves 2l, and these drop-leaves are connected by means of hinges 22 With theends of the intermediate sections or bars Il of the table-slides. Thus, in accordance with my invention, the dropleaves 2l are not connected with the central main table top, but are carried by the intermediate sections or bars of the table-slides. In the drawings, for the purpose of illustration, I have shown the drop-leaves connected to the table-slides by means of strap hinges, but it is to be understood that concealed hinges can be utilized, in which case the leaves Ican be swung either to a lowered vertical position or to a raised Vertical position, or to a horizontal position.

By having the drop-leaves ZI hingedly mounted on the sections or intermediate bars of the tableslides, the drop-leaves can be moved away from the center or main table top ID, which will permit the placing of removable table leaves 23 and 24 on the table-slides between the main table top I0 and the drop-leaves 2 I.

In use of my improved table, the same can be normally placed against the wall to function as a customary drop-leaf table, and in this instance, the table will be out of the way and will form an ornamental article of furniture. This position is illustrated in Figure l, and by having the dropleaves 2l hingedly mounted on the intermediate bars of 4the table-slides, the leaves 2I can be moved under the main table top IIl. This will add to the eye appeal of the table and will materially reduce the active size of the table when the same is being used against the wall.

Where it is desired to have the leaves 2I assume the usual place of drop-leaves at the ends of the main table top, the leaves 2| with their slides, can be slid outwardly the thickness of the drop-leaves, as is shown in Figure 2. It is to be noted that when the table is in its fully collapsed position, with the leaves 2| moved under the table top, the leaves will be held against accidental swinging movement, due to the engagement of the inner edges thereof with the lower surface of the main table top.

When it is desired to use the table as a dining table for four, or for a bridge table, the table can be pulled out of the room, and the leaves 2| can be slid to the position shown in Figure 2, and then swung to a raised horizontal position, as shown in Figure 3. The end sections of bars I8 of the slides are then pulled out, and the legs or end pedestal supports 20 will ride under the drop-leaves 2|, and eiectively hold the drop'- leaves in a raised position, and the table, generally, in a strong condition.

Where a larger table is needed for seating more persons, the intermediate sections or slides I1 are pulled out, and this will carry the dropleaves 2I away from the table top IU, and the removable table leaves 23 and 24 can then be placed upon the slides between the adjacent edges of the main table topl III and the drop-leaves 2I.

While I have illustrated one preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that alterations and changes can be made thereto, providing the same do not depart from the spirit or the scope of the claims, and the table is open to certain renements, but what I claim as new is:

1. In an extensible drop-leaf table, a main center table top, table-slides secured to the lower surface of said main table top, said slides including inner sections connected with the main top, intermediate sections, and end sections, means bracing the end sections, table supports connected with said end sections, drop-leaves, and means hingedly connecting the drop-leaves with the intermediate slides, the outer slides and the supports being movable under the drop-leaves when the drop leaves are in a horizontal position.

2. In an extensible drop-leaf table, a main solid center table top, table-slides secured to the lower surface of said main table top, said slides including inner sections connected with the main top, intermediate sections, and end sections, means bracing the end sections, table supports connected with said end sections, drop-leaves, means hingedly connecting the drop-leaves with the intermediate slides, the outer slides and the supports being movable under the drop-leaves when the drop-leaves are in a horizontal position, and removable leaves insertible on the slides between the main table top and the drop-leaves, when the drop leaves are slid away from the main top the intermediate sections of the slides being movable with the outer sections of the slides and the drop--leaves under the main top, when the drop-leaves are in a lowered vertical position.

3. In an extensible drop-leaf table, a main table top, a set of table-slides on each side of the longitudinal center of the table, each of said sets of slides including an inner section, an intermediate section, and an outer section, means rigidly securing the inner sections of the sets of slides to the under-surface of the main table top, a drop-leaf hingedly secured to the ends of the intermediate sections, and supporting members secured to and depending from the outer portions of the slides, as and for the purpose specied.

ALVIN M. ELLINGTON. 

